Did you know that Self-acceptance is a journey, not a victory? That’s why this blog is going to cover 3 comforting truths that can transform your perspective about what it means to improve and restore self-love. Yes, we want to set permanent and long-term goals for self-love, but it’s important to value our path toward everyday progress. We have to give ourselves credit for every step taken. But, how can we do this? Well, here are 3 comforting truths to help.

Progress would not exist if perfection did.

“Progress” is a movement towards a desired destination. But, it can also simply mean an onward motion throughout space and time. More simply, to attain progress, you don’t necessarily have to say to yourself, “Okay, I’m here, but I need to be there.” Because sometimes having this type of perspective on progress can be disheartening.When our self-image or how we see ourselves is not the same as our “ideal self,” this can cause us to feel down about ourselves or feel guilt about not yet reaching our ideal destination (Rogers, Carl). 

And in turn, it becomes more difficult to accept oneself as you are. And all the while, self-acceptance is needed to truly move forward. So, when you set goals for improving yourself, regardless of the area, it’s important to understand that the goal is not a perfect destination, it is simply onward motion throughout space and time or life in general. Every step forward is progress. If you only acknowledge your progress once you reach some “perfect milestone,” you’re not giving yourself the inner growth that you deserve. So, say, “I’m here now. What is the next step?”

Imperfect is not the same thing as incomplete.

It’s easy to think, “If I had this one thing, I’d be good.” “If I just could do or achieve this thing, I’d be the full package.” 

Thinking this way is kind of like scorekeeping against yourself.The idea of scorekeeping normally applies to relationships, but are we not in an everyday relationship with ourselves? Scorekeeping is when you keep track of all the things someone does wrong or right, and it’s when you point out the negative to try and make someone correct themselves. 

The problem with scorekeeping against yourself is that it can encourage negative self-talk like, “Why did you do that? Be better. I noticed you did this poorly. You need to change that.” It sets you up for feeling incomplete or less than. But, just because we are imperfect does not mean that we are not whole and that we do not have what it takes to accomplish our dreams or feel good about ourselves.

So, instead of scorekeeping, you can keep up with the steps you’ve taken to move forward. You can accept what makes you human.

There can be no change without time.

It can be a challenge to think about time going by, especially when you are trying to get to a destination. But, progress is not a race against time. It’s just a path that takes time. 

Progress is just a path that takes time.

Time is necessary for all change, improvement, and development. So, instead of feeling like we’re trying to beat the clock, we can look at time as something that thankfully does not stop. Likewise, the opportunities for change, growth, and development will never stop. 

So, let’s continue to accept ourselves as simply a part of space and time.

Photocred: istock: Getty images